Police detonate bomb found in Kutus Catholic Church in Kirinyaga
Parts of the explosive that was found in the Kutus Catholic Church on December 20, 2015. Bomb experts from Nyeri and Embu managed to detonate the explosive device. PHOTO | GEORGE MUNENE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- A worshipper, Mr Richard Kanyuiro, said he and his two friends saw the explosive device as they were giving their offerings and thought it was a toy.
- Area chairman of Catholic Men Association, Mr Paul Njeru, said it was likely that the bomb was planted very early in the morning by unknown terrorists.
- The local priest Father Njenga said it was by the grace of God that the bomb did not explode as the service was going on.
Bomb experts from Nyeri and Embu counties have detonated an explosive device that was found inside the Kutus Catholic Church in Kirinyaga County during Sunday service.
Fear gripped the worshippers who stormed out of the church as the news of the bomb was announced.
A worshipper, Mr Richard Kanyuiro, said he and his two friends saw the explosive device as they were giving their offerings and thought it was a toy.
However, after examining the object closely, one of them who is an Administration Police officer identified it as a bomb and alerted the congregation.
“We were so shocked that we had to inform the priest and the congregation,” said Mr Kanyuiro.
Area chairman of Catholic Men Association, Mr Paul Njeru, said it was likely that the bomb was planted very early in the morning by unknown terrorists.
"Usually the church is opened at 7am so that those want to pray before the service starts can do so. Therefore it is likely the terrorists sneaked into the church posing as worshippers and planted the bomb," said Mr Njeru.
Worshippers mill outside the Holy Rosary Kutus Catholic Church in Kirinyaga County after they discovered a bomb inside the church.Local security officers have cordoned off the church until bomb experts arrive from Nairobi to detonate the explosive. PHOTO | GEORGE MUNENE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The local priest Father Njenga said it was by the grace of God that the bomb did not explode as the service was going on.
Kirinyaga County Governor Joseph Ndathi has condemned those targeting holy places during Christmas festivities.
"No one irrespective of his religion should target churches and I would like condemn those involved in the strongest terms possible," he said.
Mr Ndathi said it would have been disastrous if the bomb had exploded and advised the priests to ensure that those entering the church are thoroughly screened.
Security officers led by the County Police Commander Rono Bunei rushed to the Kutus Catholic Church and cordoned off the area as they waited for bomb experts to arrive from Nairobi.
SECURITY ALERT
Recently, police have cautioned Kenyans to be alert during this festive season as they released details of 11 terrorists planning to carry out attacks in the country.
Some of the terrorists have been on the police most wanted watch list for more than year but fled to Al-Shabaab camps in Somalia.
Intelligence reports label them as “armed and dangerous” and indicate they may have sneaked back into the country.
Large billboards of their photographs have been erected in counties bordering Somalia.
Similar billboards were mounted in Nairobi when their identities were first made public.
The billboards also display police hotlines 999, 112, 020-2199151 and 0702432877.
“The public is urged to provide information regarding their whereabouts but are warned that they are armed and dangerous,” according to the police.
